Planter hitch apparatus

ABSTRACT

An agricultural apparatus comprising a carrier frame including a support surface defining an arcuate track about a pivot point, a mainframe mounted to the carrier frame at the pivot point for rotation thereabout between an operating position and a transportation position and a wheel assembly including at least one wheel mounted to a mounting member, the mounting member mounted to the mainframe such that the wheel is received on the curved track for rotation there along where the wheel assembly is vertically adjustable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to agricultural equipmentand more specifically to an extendable multi-stage hitch assembly forlinking an agricultural implement to a prime mover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Various types of agricultural implements have been developed thatcan be linked via an implement tongue member to a tractor hitch or othertype of prime mover to facilitate different tasks including, forexample, seeding, fertilizing and tilling. While there are manydifferent factors that have to be considered when assessing the value ofa particular implement, one relatively important factor is how quicklythe implement can accomplish the task that the implement has beendesigned to facilitate. One way to increase task speed has been toincrease implement width thereby reducing the number of passes requiredto perform the implement's task for an entire field. Thus, for instance,doubling the width of a seeding implement generally reduces the timerequired to completely seed a field by half.

[0004] With the development of modern high-powered tractors andimplements, many implements extend to operating field widths of 40 feetor more. Hereinafter when an implement is extended into an operatingconfigurations to accomplished specific tasks (e.g., seeding, tilling,etc.), the implement will be said to be in an operating position andhave an operating width.

[0005] Unfortunately, while expansive implement operating widths areadvantageous for quickly accomplishing tasks, such expansive widthscannot be tolerated during implement transport and storage. With respectto transport, egresses to many fields are simply not large enough toaccommodate transport of a 40 plus foot implement into and out of thefields. In addition, often buildings and fences obstruct passageways andtherefore will not allow transport. Moreover, many farm fields areseparated by several miles and farmers have to use commercial roadwaysto transport their implements to and from fields. Essentially allcommercial roadways are not designed to facilitate wide implementtransport.

[0006] Recognizing the need for expansive implement operating widths andrelatively narrow transport widths, the industry has developed somesolutions that facilitate both transport and operating widths. To thisend, one solution has been to provide piece-meal implements that can bedisassembled into separate sections and stacked on a wheel supportedimplement section or on a separate trailer for transport. Obviously thissolution is disadvantageous as it requires excessive labor to assembleand disassemble the implements between transport and intended use andmay also require additional equipment (e.g., an additional trailer).

[0007] Another solution has been to provide a folding implementconfiguration. For instance, in a “scissors type” configuration, wherean implement chassis is supported by wheels, right and left implementbars are pivotally mounted to the chassis where each bar is moveablebetween an operating position extending laterally from the chassis and atransport position where the bar is forwardly swingable over the tonguemember and supportable by the tongue member during transport. As anotherinstance, “pivotal-type” configurations provide a single implement barcentrally mounted for pivotal movement on a wheel supported chassiswhere the single bar is pivotable about the mount so that half of thebar extends over the tongue member and is supportable thereby and theother half of the bar extends away from the tractor behind the chassis.One exemplary pivotable configuration is described in U.S. Pat. No.6,213,034 (hereinafter “the '034 patent) which issued on Apr. 10, 2001and is entitled “Planter Apparatus and Method”.

[0008] In either of the scissors or pivotal configurations, the tonguemember has to be long enough to accommodate half the implement barlength plus some clearance required to allow a tractor linked to thetongue member to turn left and right. Thus, for instance, where theimplement operating width is 40 feet, the tongue member generally has tobe greater than 20 feet long.

[0009] While task speed is one important criteria with which to judgeimplement value, one other important criteria is implement effectivenessand efficiency. In agricultural endeavors, perhaps the most importantmeasure of effectiveness is yield per acre. For this reason, whenseeding a field, a farmer wants to seed every possible square foot ofthe field and thereafter, when maintaining (i.e., tilling, fertilizing,etc.) and harvesting a field, the farmer wants to avoid destroying theplants in the field. To maximize field seeding, farmers typically travelalong optimal field paths. For instance, to ensure that seed is plantedalong the entire edge of a field, a farmer typically starts seeding thefield by first traveling around the edge of the field with a seedingimplement at least once and often two or more times along adjacentconsecutively smaller paths prior to traveling in parallel rows throughthe field. These field edge paths are generally referred to in theindustry as headland passes. By performing one or more headland passesabout a field edge prior to performing parallel passes, the farmerprovides a space for turning the tractor and implement around betweenparallel passes while still covering the entire space along the fieldedge.

[0010] While headland passes increase overall field coverage, whenever atractor is driven over field sections that have already been seeded, thetractor and implement wheels crush the seeds or growing plants that theypass over and therefore reduce overall field production (i.e., yield peracre). For this reason, as known in the industry, where possible,farmers routinely attempt to reduce the number of headland passesrequired in a field.

[0011] Unfortunately, the number of headland passes required tofacilitate complete field coverage is related to the turning radius of atractor and implement combination and the combination turning radius isdirectly related to the length of the tongue member between theimplement and the tractor. Thus, for instance, where the tongue is sixfeet long the turning radius may require only one headland pass while atwenty foot long tongue may require two or more headland passes tofacilitate complete coverage.

[0012] Recognizing that a short tongue during implement operationreduces the number of required headland passes and therefore increasesefficiency and that a long tongue is desirable to accommodate pivotaland scissors type implement configurations, some industry members havedeveloped staged tongue members that expand to accommodate implementtransport and retract to provide a minimal turning radius duringimplement operation. One of these solutions provides a single stagetelescoping tongue member including a first tongue member mounted to animplement chassis and a second tongue member that is telescopicallyreceived in the first tongue member. To facilitate expansion andretraction, a hydraulic cylinder is positioned within one of the firstand second tongue members with a base member mounted to one of thetongue members and a rod secured to the other of the tongue members.With relatively large implements and tractors, the force required by thecylinder is relatively large. By placing the cylinder inside the tonguemembers, cylinder force is evenly distributed thereby reducing cylinderwear, reducing cylinder requirements and increasing the useful cylinderlife cycle.

[0013] While better than non-telescoping tongue members, unfortunately,single stage members cannot telescope between optimal maximum andminimum lengths. For this reason, where single stage tongue members havebeen employed, either extended implement operating width has beenminimized or extra headland passes have been used to accommodate alarger than optimum turning radius.

[0014] One other solution has been to provide a multi-stage tonguemember that is able to telescope between optimal maximum and minimumlengths. Designing workable multi-stage tongue assemblies, however, hasproven to be a difficult task. To this end, a separate cylinder isrequired for each stage in a multi-stage assembly. For instance, in atwo stage assembly at least two cylinders are required. Unfortunately,in the case of a retracted multi-stage tongue assembly, the retractedassembly can only accommodate a single internally mounted cylinder(i.e., a cylinder mounted within the internal tongue assembly member).As indicated above, to balance cylinder load during operation andthereby minimize cylinder wear and increase useful cylinder lifecycle,the industry has opted to place tongue dedicated cylinders inside tonguemember passageways and external tongue dedicated cylinders have not beenconsidered a viable option.

[0015] One exemplary and seemingly workable multi-stage tongue assemblyis described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,956 which is entitled “ForwardlyFolding Tool Bar” and which issued on May 19, 1992 (hereinafter “the'956 patent”). The implement configuration in the '956 patent teaches ascissors-type implement having left and right bar members mounted to awheel supported chassis for pivotal rotation between an extendedoperating position and a transport position over the tongue assembly.The tongue assembly is mounted to the chassis and extends toward atractor including several (e.g., 5) telescoped tongue members includinga distal tongue member 14 that actually links to a tractor hitch. Tomove the bar members between the operating and transport positions the'956 patent teaches that first and second hydraulic cylinders aremounted between the chassis and a point spaced from the chassis on eachof the right and left bar members, respectively. By extending cylinderrods, the bar members are driven into extended operating positions andwhen the rods are retracted the bar members are driven into transportpositions.

[0016] The '956 patent teaches that the tongue assembly can be extendedand retracted while the bar members are driven between their operatingand transport positions and by the first and second hydraulic cylindersby attaching braces between the bar members and the distal tonguemember. More specifically, a first rigid brace is pivotally secured atone end about midway along the right bar member and so as to form anacute angle therewith and at an opposite end to the distal tongue memberand a second rigid brace is pivotally secured at one end about midwayalong the left bar member so as to form an acute angle therewith and atan opposite end to the distal tongue member. The '956 patent teachesthat when the cylinder rods are retracted so that the bar members are inthe transport position, the tongue assembly is extended so that thedistal end of the assembly clears the ends of the bar members. When thecylinder rods are extended, the bar members are driven toward theirextended operating positions and the braces simultaneously pull thedistal tongue member toward the chassis thereby causing the tongueassembly to retract. By reversing the rods so that the rods extend, thebraces force the distal tongue member away from the chassis therebycausing the tongue assembly to extend. Thus, the '956 patentconfiguration replaces the tongue dedicated rods with the first andsecond braces on opposite sides of the tongue assembly, the braces ineffect operating as rods to extend and retract the tongue assembly andproviding a balanced load to the distal tongue member during extensionor retraction.

[0017] The '956 solution, like other solutions, has severalshortcomings. First, because the '956 patent configuration cylinders arelinked between the chassis and the bar members, in the case of someimplements, the cylinders will get in the way of implement components(e.g., seeding buckets, ground engaging tools, etc.). Similarly, becauseof the locations of the braces (i.e., secured between central points ofthe braces and the distal tongue member), the braces also will obstructuse of certain implement components.

[0018] Second, in order to simultaneously drive the bar members betweenthe operating and transport positions and drive the distal tongue memberbetween the retracted and extended positions, the cylinders have to berelatively large and therefore expensive. One way to reduce cylindersize is to modify the implement configuration to increase the acuteangles that the braces form with each of the bar members when the barmembers are in the extended operating positions. This solution, however,leads to a third problem with the '956 patent configuration.Specifically, to simultaneously provide a workable design includingbraces and accommodate larger acute angles that enable the use ofsmaller cylinders, the overall retracted tongue assembly length must beincreased which is contrary to the primary purpose for which theassembly has been designed (i.e., to reduce tongue length duringimplement operation and increase tongue length during implementtransportation).

[0019] In any extendable tongue assembly design, it is important toprovide some mechanism to maintain the tongue assembly in the retractedposition during implement operation and in the extended position duringtransport. In the case of configurations that rely on hydraulics todrive tongue members between extended and retracted positions, assumingthe hydraulic system operates properly, the hose and cylinder pressurescan generally be relied upon to maintain assembly positions. However,sometimes hydraulic systems fail and therefore, ideally, some backuplocking system is provided.

[0020] Some assembly designs provide a manually operated mechanicallocking mechanism to accomplish this task. For instance, to lock anassembly in an extended position, a farmer may be required to insert alocking pin through tongue member apertures that align when the assemblyis retracted. Similar steps may also be used to lock the assembly in theextended position. Unfortunately, in the case of manual lockingmechanisms, farmers may opt not to use the manual mechanisms and insteadmay simply rely upon the integrity of the hydraulic system.

[0021] Still other systems have been designed to include automaticlocking mechanisms. For instance, referring again to the '956 patent,the '956 patent teaches a hydraulically operated latch locking mechanismthat is mounted to the distal tongue member that engages a stop memberthat extends from the tongue member mounted to the chassis when theassembly is in the retracted position. When the assembly is in anextended position and the bar members are in a transport position,downward extending hooks at the distal ends of the bar members arepositioned over receiving apertures such that, when implement supportwheels are raised, if the hooks and apertures are properly aligned, thehooks are received in the apertures and lock the entire assembly,including the tongue members, in position for transport.

[0022] While better than a manual mechanism that may be ignored, the'956 patent locking mechanism still has shortcomings. For instance, thelatching mechanism relies on gravity to maintain the latch over the stopmember while the implement is in the operating position. Where animplement is pulled through a field and hits a bump or a pot hole, thelatch member may be jostled upward overcoming gravity and therebybecoming unlatched. Similarly, during transport the implement may bejostled thereby causing the hooks to lift out of the receiving aperturesso that the assembly becomes unlocked.

[0023] In addition, the hook and aperture transport locking mechanismmay not always operate well as alignment of the hooks and apertures isrequired for successful operation and therefore manufacturing andoperating tolerances have to be relatively tight. This is especiallytrue where movement from the operating to the transport positions has tobe performed in an uneven field environment where similar hydraulicforces may drive the left and right hand bar members to differentrelative positions with respect to receiving apertures (i.e., aftermovement toward the transport positions the bar member hooks on the leftand right bar members may be differently aligned with receivingapertures on the distal tongue member so that some type of manualadjustment is necessary).

[0024] Moreover, the '956 patent requires separate mechanisms forlocking the tongue assembly in each of the extended and retractedpositions. As in the case of any apparatus, additional componentstypically translate into higher manufacturing and maintenance costs andtherefore should be avoided whenever possible.

[0025] In addition to the problems described above, foldable apparatushave other shortcomings. For example, during pivoting or scissors typemovement of implement bars to convert an assembly between transport andoperating positions, the bars have to be supported in horizontalpositions during conversion. One solution has been to provide arelatively robust pivot pin and corresponding components to provide therequired support. This solution is disadvantageous as the costsassociated with a reliable pivot pin and components of this type arerelatively high.

[0026] Another solution for supporting implement bars during conversionhas been to maintain wheels on the distal ends of the bars in groundengaging positions that support the distal ends there above. Afterconversion to the transport position, the ground engaging wheels aretypically raised to upright positions where the wheels clear the groundbelow and the entire assembly is supported by a carrier frame andcorresponding wheels. While this solution works relatively well when anassembly is positioned on a flat horizontal surface such as a road or apaved area, this solution does not work well under typical conversioncircumstances. For instance, where conversion is attempted in an unevenfield or in a field wrought with ruts, the force required to drive theground engaging wheels over peaks and out of valleys is appreciable.Thus, while this solution is typically better than the unsupportedsolution, this solution generally requires relatively powerful motorsand/or hydraulic systems to facilitate conversion. It should also benoted that this solution may prohibit conversion under certaincircumstances where terrain blocks movement of the ground engagingwheels.

[0027] Yet another solution is described in the '034 patent. To thisend, the '034 patent teaches that the pivot point is positioned adjacenta rear corner of a carrier frame with a nylon track runner forming anarc there around that extends between first and second track ends wherethe first end is at the other rear corner of the carrier frame. Amainframe is pivotally mounted at the pivot point to the carrier framefor rotation there around. A bottom portion of the mainframe rests onthe track runner and slides there along during conversion.

[0028] By employing the '034 patent solution, advantageously, nocomponents attached to the implement bar contact the ground there underand therefore ground engaging wheels do not impede conversion.Unfortunately, however, it has been found that even the '034 patentsolution has shortcomings. Specifically, because the implement bar andattached components are often collectively heavy, the friction betweenthe bottom portion of the mainframe and the track runner is oftenappreciable and therefore requires powerful and expensive hydraulicsand/or motors.

[0029] Second, while manufacturing techniques are relatively good andtherefore newly manufactured agricultural assemblies are well alignedand function properly, over the course of one or more seasons of use,many implements and components become misaligned or, in some cases,actually change their shape with wear. In the case of a pivotal-typeimplement, the implement bar and corresponding components have beenknown to become misaligned and even change shape (i.e., distal bar endsmay droop over time). The '034 patent configuration does not providemeans for compensating for misalignment or to compensate for implementbar shape deformation due to wear.

[0030] Therefore, a need exists for a system that enables easyconversion of a carrier frame mounted implement bar between transportand operating positions and to compensate for assembly componentmisalignment and deformed implement bar shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0031] It has been recognized that a wheel assembly can be attached to amainframe and that is received on an arcuate track runner to reduce thefriction between the mainframe and the track runner during conversionand thereby reduce the amount of force required to drive the mainframeand attached implement bar during conversion. It has also beenrecognized that the vertical position of the wheel relative to themainframe can be made adjustable such that the wheel assembly can beused to compensate for assembly component misalignment and componentdeformation due to wear.

[0032] Consistent with the above, the present invention includes anagricultural apparatus comprising a carrier frame including a supportsurface defining an arcuate track about a pivot point, a mainframemounted to the carrier frame at the pivot point for rotation thereaboutbetween an operating position and a transportation position and a wheelassembly including at least one wheel mounted to a mounting member, themounting member mounted to the mainframe such that the wheel is receivedon the curved track for rotation there along.

[0033] In at least one embodiment the mounting member includes first andsecond plates and the wheel is mounted between the plates. Morespecifically, the mounting member may include an adjustment bolt linkedbetween the mainframe and the plates wherein the adjustment bolt isadjustable to alter the relative positions of the mainframe and theplates thereby modifying the relative positions of the mainframe and thecarrier frame. Even more specifically, the mounting member may furtherinclude first and second block members linked to the mainframe and theplates, respectively, one of the block members forming a right threadedchannel and the other of the block members forming a left threadedchannel and, wherein, the adjustment bolt includes first and second endsthat are right and left threaded, respectively, the adjustment bolt endsreceived in the block member channels.

[0034] In some embodiments the first end of the adjustment bolt isreceived in the first block member channel, the first block memberincludes a jamming surface facing the second blocking member, theapparatus further including a jam nut threadably received on the firstend of the bolt such that the jam nut can be tightened against thejamming surface to lock the relative positions of the bolt and the firstand second block members.

[0035] In several embodiments each of the first and second plates hasproximal and distal ends and the wheel in mounted between the proximaland distal ends, the proximal ends are pivotally linked to the mainframeand the distal ends pivotally linked to the second block member. Here,each plate may be mounted to the mainframe, second block and wheel atfirst, second and third mounting points, respectively, that form atriangle, the third mounting point below at least one of the first andsecond mounting points. Also, here the apparatus may further include abracket mounted to the mainframe, the first block pivotally mounted tothe bracket at a first point and the first ends of the plates mounted tothe bracket at a second point below the first point. The bracket mayextend in a direction tangent to the arcuate track.

[0036] The track may extend between first and second ends and, when themainframe is in the operating position, the mainframe may besubstantially perpendicular to a direction of travel and substantiallyaligned with a rear edge of the support surface such that the bracketextending at least in part past the rear edge and proximate the firstend.

[0037] In some embodiments the track extends between first and secondends, when the mainframe is in the operating position, the mainframesubstantially perpendicular to a direction of travel and substantiallyaligned with a rear edge of the support surface and the wheel extendingat least in part past the rear edge and proximate the first end, thecarrier frame further including a wheel support member extending fromthe rear edge and forming an upwardly facing surface that issubstantially parallel to the support surface and that forms the firstend.

[0038] In several embodiments the mounting member further includes anadjustment means for adjusting the relative positions of the wheel andthe mainframe such that the relative positions of the mainframe and thecarrier frame can be adjusted.

[0039] The carrier frame may include first and second lateral edges andthe track extends between first and second track ends where the wheel isproximate the first and second track ends when the mainframe is in theoperating and transport positions, respectively, the pivot point isproximate the first lateral edge and the first track end is proximatethe second lateral edge.

[0040] The invention further includes an apparatus for use with anagricultural assembly including a carrier frame including a supportsurface defining an arcuate track about a pivot point and a mainframemounted to the carrier frame at the pivot point for rotation thereaboutbetween an operating position and a transportation position, theapparatus comprising a wheel assembly including a mounting member, awheel and at least one adjustment bolt, the mounting member mounted tothe mainframe and the wheel linked to the mounting member via theadjustment bolt such that the wheel is received on the curved track forrotation there along, the adjustment bolt adjustable for modifying therelative vertical positions of the wheel and the mainframe to adjust thepositions of the mainframe and the carrier frame.

[0041] In some embodiments the mounting member includes first and secondplates linked to the mainframe and the adjustment bolt and wherein thewheel is mounted between the plates. More specifically, the mountingmember may further include first and second block members linked to themainframe and the plates, respectively, one of the block members forminga right threaded channel and the other of the block members forming aleft threaded channel and, wherein, the adjustment bolt includes firstand second ends that are right and left threaded, respectively, theadjustment bolt ends received in the block member channels. Even morespecifically, the first end of the adjustment bolt may be received inthe first block member channel, the first block member may include ajamming surface facing the second blocking member, the apparatus mayfurther include a jam nut threadably received on the first end of thebolt such that the jab nut can be tightened against the jamming surfaceto lock the relative positions of the bolt and the first and secondblock members.

[0042] Each of the first and second plates may have proximal and distalends and the wheel may be mounted between the proximal and distal ends,the proximal ends may be pivotally linked to the mainframe and thedistal ends pivotally linked to the second block member. Here, eachplate may be mounted to the mainframe, second block and wheel at first,second and third mounting points, respectively, that form a triangle,the third mounting point below at least one of the first and secondmounting points.

[0043] The invention additionally includes an apparatus for use with anagricultural assembly including a carrier frame including a supportsurface defining an arcuate track about a pivot point and a mainframemounted to the carrier frame at the pivot point for rotation thereaboutbetween an operating position and a transportation position, theapparatus comprising first and second plates, each plate includingproximal and distal ends and defining first, second and third mountingpoints, the proximal ends pivotally linked to the mainframe at the firstmounting points, a turnbuckle including first and second block membersand a bolt, one of the block members forming a right threaded channeland the other of the block members forming a left threaded channel, thebolt including opposite first and second ends that are right threadedand left threaded, respectively, the bolt ends received within thechannels, the first block member pivotally linked to the mainframe abovethe plates and the second block member pivotally linked to the plates atthe second mounting points and a wheel mounted between the plates at thethird mounting points such that the wheel is received on the track.

[0044] In one aspect the mounting points on each of the plates may forma triangle and each second mounting point may be vertically below atleast one of the first and second mounting points on the same plate. Inaddition, in some embodiments a bracket may be mounted to the mainframewherein the proximal ends of the plates and the first block members arepivotally mounted to the bracket. Here, the bracket may be proximate andextend toward the first end of the track when the mainframe is in theoperating position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045]FIG. 1 is a is perspective view of a preferred embodiment of aplanter apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0046]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the carrier frame of illustrated inFIG. 1;

[0047]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the carrier frame illustrated inFIG. 1;

[0048]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mainframe assembly used with theconfiguration of FIG. 1;

[0049]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in anextended operating position;

[0050]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in atransport position;

[0051]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in anintermediate position with an implement between the operating and thetransport positions;

[0052]FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 with storage units attached and in the transport position;

[0053]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 withstorage units in the transport position;

[0054]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of components that, in part, formthe carrier frame assembly used with the configuration of FIG. 1 in anextended or transport position;

[0055]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the carrier frame assembly ofFIG. 10, albeit in a retracted or implement operating position;

[0056]FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of a third tonguemember and corresponding hydraulic cylinder rod and various assemblycomponents;

[0057]FIG. 13 is a partially exploded perspective view of the thirdtongue member of FIG. 12 and a second tongue member both that receivesthe third member and other assembly components;

[0058]FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view of the second andthird tongue members of FIG. 13 and a first tongue member and externalcylinder assembly;

[0059]FIG. 15 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the hitchassembly of FIG. 11 with the tongue members in the retracted position;

[0060]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the latch assemblies of FIG. 15 in alatched position;

[0061]FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16, albeit with the latch assemblies inan unlatched position;

[0062]FIG. 18 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the hitch assemblytaken along line 18-18 of FIG. 15 with the hitch assembly in theretracted position;

[0063]FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a latch taken along the line19-19 of FIG. 18;

[0064]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the stops and latch slotstaken along line 20-20 of FIG. 18, albeit with the latch in an unlatchedposition shown in the extended position;

[0065]FIG. 21 is similar to FIG. 20, albeit taken along the line 21-21of FIG. 22 with tongue members in an extended position;

[0066]FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 18, albeit with the tongue membersshown in the extended position with the latches in a latched and lockedposition;

[0067]FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 of FIG.16;

[0068]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 24-24 of FIG.16;

[0069]FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic control assemblyused to control the configuration of FIG. 1 at an instant in time wheneach of the latch and tongue cylinder rods are being driven towardextended positions;

[0070]FIG. 26 is similar to FIG. 25, albeit at an instant in time whenthe tongue cylinder rods are being driven toward the extended positionand with the latch cylinder pressure released so that the latches areforced into locking positions;

[0071]FIG. 27 is similar to FIG. 25, albeit at an instant in time wheneach of the latch cylinder rods is being driven toward the extendedposition and when each of the tongue cylinder rods is being driventoward the retracted position;

[0072]FIG. 28 is similar to FIG. 26, albeit at an instant in time whenthe tongue cylinder rods are being driven toward the retracted positionand with the latch cylinder pressure released so that the latches areforced into locking positions;

[0073]FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the main frame assembly shown inthe operating position;

[0074]FIG. 30 is a detail perspective view of the support wheelassembly;

[0075]FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the main frame assembly with thecarrier assembly shown in the operating position;

[0076]FIG. 32 is a top plan view of the main frame assembly with thecarrier frame shown rotated midway between the operating and transportpositions.;

[0077]FIG. 33 is a side plan view of the wheel assembly of FIG. 29; and

[0078]FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the main frame assembly with thecarrier assembly shown in the transport position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0079] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention will be described in the context of an agriculturalassembly 10 which includes a carrier frame assembly 12, a main frameassembly 69 and an implement assembly 15. As its label implies, carrierframe assembly 12 includes components configured to facilitate transportor carrying of other assembly 10 components. Similarly, as their labelsimply, main frame assembly 69 includes components configured togenerally support any of several different implement assemblies whileimplement assembly 15, includes components used to carry out a specificagricultural process corresponding to a specific implement. Forinstance, the components that comprise the implement assembly may beused for tilling, fertilizing, planting, etc. Main frame assembly 69 ismounted to carrier frame assembly 12 and implement assembly 15 ismounted to main frame assembly 69.

[0080] The present invention generally resides in the carrier frameassembly 12 and, more particularly, in the tongue or hitch sub-assemblythat forms part of the carrier frame assembly 12. For this reason,hereinafter, first, an exemplary implement assembly 15 and the mainframe assembly 69 are described in minimal detail and thereafter carrierframe assembly 12 is described in greater detail.

[0081] Referring still to FIGS. 1 through 4 and also to FIG. 5 (andgenerally to other Figures in the specification), the exemplaryimplement assembly 15 includes a bar member 16, implement components 17(e.g., planting devices), wheels 35, 36, wheel support members 37 andextendable markers 42, 43. Bar member 16 is typically a rigid steelrectilinear bar having dimensions within the six by six to ten by tenrange and extends along the length of implement assembly 15. Bar 16 isgenerally mounted to main frame assembly 69 in any manner known in theart and the relationship between implement assembly 15 and the mainframe assembly 69 is adjustable.

[0082] Wheels 35 and 36 are mounted via wheel support members 37 atopposite ends of bar 16 and are generally positionable in two positionswith respect to the ground (not illustrated). First, as illustrated inthe figures, wheels 35 and 36 and/or the entire implement assembly 15may be manipulated via hydraulic cylinders or the like such that wheels35 and 36 are in an upright position where the wheels 35 and 36 clearthe ground below. Second, wheels 35 and 36 or the entire implementassembly 15 may be manipulated such that wheels 35 and 36 contact theground below and support the ends of the implement assembly there abovewith implement components either above the ground or, depending onimplement type, perhaps partially engaging the ground.

[0083] Markers 42 and 43, like wheels 35 and 36, are mounted at oppositeends of bar 16 and generally extend from bar 16 to a front side (seeFIGS. 1, 5, etc) of the implement assembly. Operation of markers 42 and43 is well known in the art and therefore will not be explained here indetail. Suffice it to say markers 42 and 43 may assume either a storedposition (see FIG. 5) where the markers are generally retracted or anextended and operating position (not illustrated) where the markers 42and 43 are unfolded and extend at least in part in the direction awayfrom units 17 and toward a tractor (not illustrated) that may beattached to assembly 10.

[0084] Referring now to FIG. 4 and also to FIGS. 29 through 34, the mainframe assembly 69 includes, among other components, a main frame barmember 14, a roller assembly 44, a latching assembly 45 and a rotatingassembly 269. Bar member 14 forms a pivot aperture 234 approximatelyone-fourth the length of bar member 14 from a first end thereof forreceiving a carrier frame assembly pivot pin (see 34 in FIG. 2). Latchassembly 45 cooperates with other system latching components (e.g., seetwo instances of latch 46 in FIG. 2) mounted on the carrier frameassembly 12 to lock the main frame assembly 69 and attached implementassembly 15 in either a transport position (see FIGS. 6, 8 and 9) or anoperating position (see FIGS. 1 and 5). Precise configuration andoperation of assembly 45 is not explained here in the interest ofsimplifying this explanation.

[0085] An attachment plate 252 is securely mounted to a top surface ofbar member 14 approximately half way along the length of member 14. Withpivot pin 34 extending up and through aperture 234, an eccentric 256including an extension member 251 is securely mounted to a top end ofthe pivot pin 34 with extension member 251 extending backward from barmember 14 and in the direction of plate 252. Cylinder 250 is pivotallysecured to plate 252 and includes a rod 254 that extends toward and ispivotally secured to extension member 251. Extension of cylinder 250causes the mainframe bar member 14 to rotate about pivot 11 from theoperating position illustrated in FIG. 31 to the transport positionillustrated in FIG. 34. When rod 254 is retracted, the mainframe barmember 14 rotates in the opposite direction toward the operatingposition illustrated in FIG. 31. FIG. 32 shows bar member 14 in anintermediate position.

[0086] Roller or wheel assembly 44 is mounted to bar member 14 at apoint about one-fourth the length of bar 14 from a second bar member 14end (not numbered but shown as the left end in FIG. 29) Thus, aperture234 and assembly 44 are, in the present example, essentially equispacedalong the length of bar 14. Positioning of aperture 234 and wheelassembly 44 is important to ensure proper balancing of the attachedimplement assembly 15 and is generally a function of how best to balanceassembly 15 about a carrier assembly axis 210 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 29, 30 and 33, assembly 44 includes a bracket215, first and second plates, each plate identified by numeral 263, aturnbuckle assembly 260, a roller or wheel 261 and a plurality of boltsthat secure assembly 44 components together. Bracket 215 is welded tobar member 14 and extends to a back side thereof. Thus, in the presentembodiment, bracket 215 and assembly 44 generally are juxtaposed on thesame side of bar 14 as is assembly 269 (see FIG. 29). Each plate 263 isgenerally triangular is shape having three mounting points (notseparately numbered) that are centered on corresponding apertures. Aseparate mounting bolt is received through each of the plate apertures.In FIG. 30 bolts 259 b, 259 c and 262 are received through first, secondand third apertures corresponding to the first, second and thirdmounting points, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment the firstand second mounting points on each plate are at a proximal end 271 and adistal end 273 of plate 263, respectively and, the first, second andthird mounting points on each plate define a triangle where the thirdmounting point corresponds to an obtuse angle and the first and secondmounting points (i.e., the points corresponding to bolts 259 b and 259c) correspond to equisized acute angles.

[0088] Referring still to FIGS. 30 and 33, the proximal end of eachplate 263 is pivotally secured via a bolt 259 b to a bottom end ofbracket 215 with a corresponding distal end 273 extending rearward therefrom and away from bar member 14 and bracket 215. Wheel 261 is mountedat the third mounting points between plates 263 via a bolt 262.

[0089] Turnbuckle 260 includes first and second block members 264 and265, a bolt 266 and a jam nut 268. Block member 264, as its labelimplies, includes a metal block having a flat jamming surface 279. Aright threaded channel 264 a extends into member 264 through surface279. Block member 265 is similar to block member 264 except that member265 forms a left threaded channel instead of a right threaded channel.

[0090] Bolt 266 includes oppositely extending and oppositely threadedends and a hexagonal central head member 267 that is rigidly secured tothe threaded ends. Each of the bolt 266 ends is received within aseparate one of channels 264 a and 265 a. Because of the threadingarrangement, when bolt 266 is rotated, blocks 264 and 265 are eitherforced apart of drawn together. Prior to threading a bolt 266 end intomember 264, jam or locking nut 268 is threaded onto the end. With nut268 on the bolt end, after bolt 266 end is received within recess 264 a,if nut 268 is tightened against jamming surface 279, nut 268 and surface279 cooperate to lock the block 264 and bolt 266 relative positions

[0091] With the blocks 264 and 265, bolt 266 and nut 268 assembled,first block 264 is pivotally secured to an upper end of bracket 215above the point where plates 263 are secured to bracket 215. Secondblock 265 is secured to plates 263 at the second mounting pointcorresponding to bolt 259 c. When so configured and with the plategeometry described above, the third mounting point corresponding to bolt262 should always be lower than at least one of the first and secondmounting points corresponding to bolts 259 b and 259 c, respectively.

[0092] Referring still to FIG. 30, wheel 261 is sized such that whenmounted as described above, a lower wheel surface is always below abottom surface of bar 14 and the lowest part of bracket 215. In this waywheel 261 contacts surface 24 and supports bar member 14 and othercomponents thereabove thereby reducing friction between the bar member14 and the track runner during conversion. In addition, it should beappreciated that with nut 268 loosened, bolt 266 can be rotated toadjust how far downward that wheel 261 extends and hence to adjust therelative positions between bar member 14 and track 38. Because of theangle that turnbuckle 260 is on and the mechanical advantage associatedwith a screw type turnbuckle, the force required to turn bolt 260 isminimized which enables adjustment even when a planter apparatus or thelike is completely loaded. After turnbuckle adjustment, nut 268 canagain be tightened against surface 279 to lock the wheel position.

[0093] The adjustment mechanism illustrated is useful to compensate forcomponent deformation due to extended wear or to correct for misalignedcomponents.

[0094] Bar member 14 is configured so as to have means for attaching theimplement assembly bar member 16 to main frame bar member 14 at eitherend of the main frame bar member 14. Representative views that showattachment are FIGS. 1 and 5 through 7. While many linking means arecontemplated, as illustrated in FIG. 4, exemplary means include rigidreceiving plates and bolt holes (not separately numbered) for receivingsome type of clamping brackets. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in additionto the components described above, storage pods 40 are shown secured tothe main frame bar 14.

[0095] Referring still to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, carrier frame assembly 12generally includes a cross bar 13, two wheel assemblies 30, a draw barassembly 18 and platform 24. Each wheel assembly 30 includes an axlesupport member 32 and a pair of wheels 31 mounted on opposite sides of acorresponding support member 32.

[0096] Referring also to FIG. 11, cross bar 13 is a steel elongated bar.A separate one of wheel assemblies 30 is mounted at each one of thecross bar 13 ends and extends downward therefrom so that assemblies 30support cross bar 13 above ground.

[0097] Referring still to FIG. 11, a pivot pin 34 is provided thatextends upwardly from a top surface of bar 13. Pin 34 is formed about avertical axis 11 and is formed so as to be receivable by the downwardlyfacing opening formed by pivot plate 28 (see FIG. 4) for rotationthereabout.

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 11 and 22, draw bar assembly 18 is a twostage tongue assembly that is described in greater detail below. Sufficeit to say at this time that, among other components, assembly 18includes a first tongue member 25 having first and second ends 150 and151 and forming a first passageway 152. First tongue member 25 alsoforms an external surface 154. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 11, firsttongue member 25 is secured at its first end 150 to a central point ofcross bar 13 via welding or some other suitable securing process.

[0099] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 8, 29, 30, 31 and 32, platform 24 isessentially a rigid flat bed member that is secured to a top surface ofcross bar 13 and approximately half of first tongue member 25 proximatecross bar 13. Among other features, platform 24 forms a track runner 38on a top surface which is reinforced on a platform undersurface (seeFIG. 3) via supporting tracks 23 and 22 or in any other manner known inthe art. A support extension member 47 extends rearward from platform 24and includes an upwardly facing surface for supporting wheel 261 whenthe assembly is in the operating position. Pivot pin 34 extends throughan opening in platform 24. Referring also to FIG. 4, track runner 38forms an arc about pivot pin 34 having a radius dimension that isidentical to the space dimension between pivot aperture 234 and rollerassembly 44 on bar 14. Runner 38 is dimensioned so as to securelysupport the roller of assembly 44 in any position along the runner andthereby provide support to main frame bar member 14 there above.

[0100] Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 4, transport and operatingimplement locking brackets or latches 46 are also provided on the topsurface of platform 24. A transport bracket 46 is generally spaced frompivot pin 34 along a line parallel to the length of first tongue member25 while an operating bracket 46 is generally spaced from pin 34 on theside of first tongue member 25 opposite pin 34. Each bracket 34 isformed so as to securely receive and lock to latch assembly 45 to lockthe main frame assembly 69 and other components secured thereto toplatform 24 in either the transport or operating positions.

[0101] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 8, with carrier frame assembly12 assembled and implement assembly 15 secured to the main frameassembly 69 as described above, the main frame bar 14 is positioned suchthat pin 34 is received in the opening formed by plate 28 and with theassembly 44 roller supported on runner 38. Gravity maintains main frameassembly 69 on runner 38 and some type of collar (not illustrated) onpin 34 may be provided to further ensure that assembly 69 remainsecured. With wheels 35 and 36 and/or the implement assembly manipulatedso that the wheels 35, 36 are off the ground, the entire main frame bar14 and components attached thereto are supported by the pivot pin 34 andwheel assembly 44 and are moveable from the transport positionillustrated in FIG. 9 to the operating position illustrated in FIG. 1and to any intermediate position therebetween (see FIG. 7) by simplycontrolling cylinder 250 thereby rotating main frame bar 14 about pivotpin 34. As indicated above, when in either the transport or operatingpositions, latch assembly 45 and one of brackets 46 cooperate to lockmain frame bar 14 to carrier assembly 12 to eliminate relative movementduring transport. Any means for rotating bar 14 about pin 34 may beemployed. Similarly, any means for operating latch assembly 45 and forraising and lowering the implement assembly and/or the lateral supportwheels 35, 36 may be employed.

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 29 and 31, with bar member 14 in the operatingposition and adjacent a rear edge of platform 24, wheel assembly 44extends back past the rear edge of platform 24. Support member 47extends therebelow to support assembly 44.

[0103] Referring again to FIG. 1 where the assembly is shown in theoperating position, consistent with reducing the number of requiredheadland passes needed to perform an agricultural task for an entirefield, the cross bar assembly 18 is relatively short. Referring also toFIGS. 7 and 9, however, it can be seen that, in order to accommodate along implement configuration in the transport position, the tongueassembly has to be extended.

[0104] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 9, 10 and 11, an exemplary two stagetongue assembly according to the present invention includes the firsttongue member 25 described above, second and third tongue members 19 and20, respectively, a hitch assembly 26 and first and second hydraulictongue cylinders 50 and 52, respectively.

[0105] Referring also to FIGS. 18, 22 and 24, as described above, firstmember 25 has first and second ends 150 and 151, an external surface154, forms a first passageway 152 and is secured to a central point oncross bar 13. Second tongue member 19 has first and second ends 160 and161, an external surface 164 and forms a second passageway 162 whilethird tongue member 20 has first and second ends 170 and 171, has anexternal surface 174 and forms a third passageway 172. Hitch assembly 26is secured to the second end 171 of third tongue member 20. Attached tothe two-stage tongue is a power cable control system 21 that retractsduring implement operation and extends during transport.

[0106] Referring to FIGS. 12-14, 18 and 22-24, third tongue member 20 isdimensioned to be received within second passageway 162 with minimalclearance while second tongue member 19 is dimensioned to be receivedwithin first passageway 152.

[0107] Smooth sliding motion between tongue members 19 and 20 is aidedby providing bearing pads 62 on the external surface 174 of first tonguemember 20. To reduce the space between the external surface 174 and thesurface which forms second passageway 162, shims 62 a are providedbetween external surface 174 and the pads 62. The pads 62 and shims 62 aare attached to external surface 174 on the top and the two verticalsides of third tongue member 20. In addition to pads 62, rails 63 areattached to the bottom of the external surface 174 of member 20 tofurther facilitate smooth sliding motion. Similarly, rails 80 areprovided on the bottom external surface 164 of second tongue member 19and shims 75 a and bearing pads 75 are provided on each of the topexternal surface and the two vertical side external surfaces of secondtongue member 19.

[0108] Referring to FIGS. 13, 20, 21, 23 and 24, bearing pad or aligningassemblies 54 (shown in an exploded view in FIG. 13) (which each alsodouble as first extension stop members or assemblies) are positioned onthe top and both vertical sides of second tongue member 19 and eachinclude a bearing pad reinforcement plate 54 a, a bearing pad 54 b,shims 54 d, retainer plates 54 e and a plurality of bolts 54 f. Inaddition, in FIGS. 20 and 21 a limiting member 54 g is illustrated. Eachof the bearing pad assemblies 54 is similarly constructed and thereforeonly one of the pad assemblies will be described in detail. Generally,the bearing pad reinforcement plate 54 a is a square steel member whichis welded or secured in some other manner to a corresponding externalsurface of member 19 at the second end 161 of member 19. A squareopening 54 c is cut into plate 54 a and through an adjacent portion ofsecond end 161. Composite bearing pad or bearing member 54 b isdimensioned so as to be receivable within opening 54 c. Where theassembly 54 includes a limiting member 54 g the limiting member 54 g andbearing pad 54 b compliment each other and together fill the spacedefined by opening 54 c with pad 54 b facing the second end of tonguemember 19 and member 54 g facing away from the second end of member 19.Member 54 b is formed of a wear resistant material while member 54 g isformed of a rigid material.

[0109] With third tongue member 20 received inside the second passageway162, composite bearing pads 54 b are positioned in openings 54 c so thatinternal surfaces thereof are very close to the external surface 174 ofthird tongue member 20. Shims 54 d are provided on the outwardly facingsurfaces of bearing pads 54 b. Thereafter, retainer plates 54 e areattached to the bearing pad reinforcement plates 54 a with a pluralityof bolts 54 f.

[0110] Referring also to FIGS. 20 and 21, differently sized shims 54 dcan be swapped in and out of the assembly 54 until the spacing betweenexternal surface 174 and a corresponding facing pad 54 b surface isideal. The rectilinear limiting members 54 g form first extension stopsurfaces that face away from the second end of member 19 and thatcooperate with other extension stop member surfaces (e.g., 64 in FIG.21) on third tongue member 20 to limit extension of the third tonguemember 20 from second tongue member 19 in a manner to be describedbelow.

[0111] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 24, bearing assemblies 53 (thatagain also double as first extension stop members or assemblies) thatare similar to the bearing assemblies 54 described above are alsoprovided at the second end of first tongue member 25 on each of thevertical side walls and on the top wall to further facilitate smoothsliding of second tongue member 19 within first tongue member 25. Padassemblies 53 are similar to the assemblies 54 described above andtherefore will not be described again here in detail. It should sufficeto say that each assembly 53 includes a bearing pad reinforcement plate53 a that receives a composite bearing pad 53 b through an opening 53 cand also includes shims 53 d used to adjust spacing, that each assembly53 may also include stop members (not illustrated) and that the shims 53d and pads 53 b are held in place by retainer plates 53 e and aplurality of bolts 53 f.

[0112] Referring now to FIG. 12, third tongue member 20 forms a firstpair of latch slots 66 (only one shown) proximate the first end ofmember 20, slots 66 formed in the opposing vertical side walls.Similarly, member 20 forms a second pair of latch slots or apertures 67proximate the second end of member 67, a separate slot 67 formed in eachof the vertical side walls of member 20. Furthermore, various stopmembers or stops are formed or secured to the vertical side wallexternal surfaces of member 20 to limit the maximum and minimum relativepositions between members 19 and 20.

[0113] To this end, a pair of extension stops 64 (i.e., each being asecond extension stop member or assembly) are attached to each verticalside wall of telescoping member 20 (only one stop 64 shown) proximatethe first end 170 of member 20. As illustrated, each second extensionstop member 64 is positioned between pad 62 and slot. Each secondextension stop member 64 forms a second extension stop surface facing anadjacent slot 66. Referring to FIGS. 20, 21 and 23, with the clearancebetween adjacent internal and external surfaces of members 19 and 20,respectively, defining a clearance dimension Dc, the bearing pad 54 band member 54 g extends first dimension D1 and member 64 extends asecond dimension D2 from the external surface of member 20 where each ofthe first and second dimensions is less than the clearance dimension andthe sum of the first and second dimensions is greater than the clearancedimension Dc such that, as seen in FIG. 21, when member 20 is extendedfrom member 19, the maximum extension is limited by the stop surfaces.

[0114] Although not illustrated, each of the second extension stopmembers 64 can be detached from tongue member 20 and moved within arange along the length of member 20 between pad 62 and slot 66 such thatthe distance between the second extended stop surface on member 64 andthe slot 66 can be adjusted. In at least one embodiment stop members 64are secured to tongue member 19 via bolts (not illustrated). By makingthe position of members 64 adjustable, the positions of members 64 canbe altered to make sure that when the first and second extension stopsurfaces contact, end 55 e of latch 55 a is aligned with slot 66 as seenin FIG. 21. By providing adjustable stop members as described above,manufacturing tolerances for the tongue members and slots can be relaxedthereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0115] In addition, retraction stop assemblies 65 are positioned on theexternal surfaces of each vertical side wall of member 20 (only oneassembly 65 shown) proximate the second end of member 20. Assembly 65includes a retraction stop 65 a, a shim 65 b, a bolt 65 c and a stopmounting bracket 65 d. Stop mounting bracket 65 d is secured to itscorresponding vertical side of member 20 just below slot 67. A mountingaperture (not separately numbered) extends through bracket 65 d along adirection parallel to the length of tongue member 20. To secure stop 65a and shim 65 b to bracket 65 d, bolt 65 c is placed through theaperture formed by the bracket 65 d and is received by shim 65 b andstop 65 a in a threaded fashion.

[0116] Shims 65 b come in various thicknesses (i.e., at least first andsecond thicknesses) and can be swapped in and out for each other toadjust relative positions of the first and second tongue members whenthe members are in the retracted position. This adjustability isimportant so that locking members described below can be aligned withlatch slots 64 and 67 (see FIG. 12) to lock the assembly in variousconfigurations as described in more detail below.

[0117] Referring now to FIG. 13, second tongue member 19 forms first andsecond pairs of latching slots 72, 73 (only one slot of each pair isshown), respectively, that are similar to the slot pairs 66 and 67illustrated in FIG. 12 and described above. To this end, the first slotpair 72 is provided with one slot in each of the vertical side wallsproximate the first end of member 19 while pair 73 includes a separateslot 73 in each of the vertical side walls of member 19 at the secondend of member 19. In addition, limiting means similar to limiting stops64 and assemblies 65 illustrated in FIG. 12 are provided on the verticalside wall external surfaces of member 19 including a pair of extensionstops 71 and a pair of retraction stop assemblies 74 mounted at thefirst and second ends of member 19, respectively. Assemblies 74 aresimilar to assembly 65 described above and therefore will not bedescribed here in detail. Suffice it to say that each assembly 74includes each of a retraction stop 74 a, a shim 74 b, a screw 74 c and amounting bracket 74 d. Operation of the stops, stop assemblies, latchslots and additional latching components will be described in greaterdetail below.

[0118] Referring once again to FIGS. 12, 18 and 22-24, first cylinder150 includes a rod 50 a that extends therefrom to a distal end and isdouble acting meaning that the cylinder 50 is plumbed so that the rod 50a can be forced to either extend or retract. Similarly, second cylinder52 includes a rod 52 a having a distal end and that is double acting.Second hydraulic cylinder 52 is generally mounted within the thirdpassageway 172 formed by third tongue member 20. To this end, a cylindermounting bracket 58 is secured to cylinder 52 and is mounted to theinternal surface that forms passageway 172 adjacent an opening 60 ofmember 20 at the first end 170 thereof. The bracket 58 is mounted to theinternal surface of passageway 172 via mounting bars 58 a and aplurality of bolts 58 b. Spacers 59 may be provided between bracket 58and the internal surface of passageway 172 to center rod 52 a withinpassageway 172.

[0119] Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, with third tongue member 20received inside the second passageway 162 formed by second tongue member19 and the distal of end rod 52 a extending from the first end 160 ofsecond tongue member 19, a square end plate 68 b can be secured to thedistal end of rod 52 a via a clevis 68 and corresponding pin 68 a.Thereafter, end plate 68 b is secured to the first end 160 of secondtongue member 19. In the exemplary and illustrated embodiment, a squareend plate 70 is provided on first end 160 which can be used to connectend plate 68 b thereto via bolts 68 c. Thus, it should be appreciatedthat when rod 52 a is extended, third tongue member 20 is forced out thesecond end 161 of member 19 thereby extending the sub-assembly includingmembers 19 and 20.

[0120] Referring now to FIG. 14, first cylinder 50 is generally mountedto the external surface 154 of first tongue member 24 via bracket 50 bproximate the second end 151 of member 24 so that the distal end of rod50 a extends past second end 151. The distal end of rod 50 a is securedproximate the second end 161 of second tongue member 19 between assembly54 and slot 73. As above, the distal end of rod 50 a can be secured viaa clevis 50 c and pin 76. Thus, it should be appreciated that when rod50 a is extended, cylinder 50 forces second tongue member 19 from withinfirst tongue member 25 thereby extending the subassembly includingmembers 19 and 25.

[0121] More broadly, referring now to FIGS. 10-14, 18 and 22, it shouldbe appreciated that by placing at least one of the hydraulic cylindersoutside the passageways formed by the expandable tongue members, atleast a two stage tongue assembly 18 can be configured wherein thecylinders have dedicated spaces and do not interfere with each other.Thus, upon retraction and as illustrated best in FIG. 18, cylinder 52essentially completely occupies passageway 172 but, nevertheless,cylinder 50 can be accommodated outside the tongue member definedpassageways. Importantly, providing the configuration illustrated wherecylinder 50 is “off-load” centered is only a viable option once it isrecognized that, by providing multiple cylinders, the load on eachcylinder, including off-load center cylinders (e.g., 50), issubstantially reduced. Thus, because the load on the externally mountedcylinder is reduced by providing several cylinders, an overall cylinderlife cycle comparable to prior single stage cylinder life cycles can beachieved.

[0122] Referring now to FIG. 10, it should also be appreciated thatadditional stages may be added to tongue assembly 18 by providingadditional externally located hydraulic cylinders, a separate cylinderfor each of the additional stages. For example, in FIG. 10, if a forthstage were added, the third hydraulic cylinder may be secured to the topexternal surface of second tongue member 19 with the additional tonguemember positioned between members 19 and 20. Additional stages arecontemplated by providing additional hydraulic cylinders on other sidesof the tongue assembly 18.

[0123] Referring to FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 18 and 22, it should also beappreciated that when third tongue member 20 is retracted into secondtongue member 19, the second end 161 of second tongue member 19 abutsstop assemblies 65 and retraction movement is limited thereby.Similarly, when second tongue members 20 is retracted into first tonguemember 25, the second end 151 of first tongue member 25 abuts stopassembly 74 and retraction movement is limited thereby.

[0124] Moreover, referring also to FIGS. 20 and 21, it should beappreciated that when third tongue member 20 is extended from secondtongue member 19, eventually stop members 64 contacts stop member 54 gand extension movement is limited thereby. Similarly, although notillustrated, member 71 (see FIG. 13) a stop member similar to member 54g cooperate to limit extension of second tongue member 19 from firsttongue member 25.

[0125] Referring now to FIG. 14, in additional to the componentsdescribed above that form parts of first and second tongue members 25and 19, respectively, latch mounting extensions for mounting lockinglatches that cooperate with the latch slots (e.g., 73, 72, etc.)described above are provided at the second ends 151 and 161 of tonguemember 25 and 19, respectively. More specifically, referring also toFIGS. 15-17 a first latch mounting assembly includes first and secondoutwardly extending members 180 and 181 that are positioned adjacentassembly 53 on the vertical side wall of tongue member 25 to whichhydraulic cylinder 50 is attached. Extensions 180 and 181 havevertically aligned openings (not numbered) and define a spacetherebetween for receiving a latch member 55 a (see FIG. 15). Similarlatch mounting extensions extend from the other vertical wall of tonguemember 24 for receiving a second latch member 55 a that can be seen inFIG. 16.

[0126] Referring still to FIG. 14, two latch mounting members 182 and183 extend outwardly from the vertical side wall to which the distal endof rod 50 a is attached proximate second end 161 of member 19. Members182 and 183, like member 180 and 181 form openings that are verticallyaligned and form a space therebetween for receiving a latch member 56 aas illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. Once again, latch mounting memberslike members 182 and 183 are provided on the other vertical side wall ofsecond tongue member 19.

[0127] Importantly, when second member 19 is received within firstmember 25, the space defined by members 180 and 181 is aligned with eachof slots 72 and 73 defined by second tongue member 19. Similarly, thespace defined by the mounting members extending from the other verticalside wall of first tongue member 25 are similarly aligned with latchslots formed in the other vertical side wall of member 19. Moreover, thespaces defined by member 182 and 183 and similar members extending fromthe other side wall of member 19 are aligned with latch receiving slotsformed by third tongue member 20 (e.g., see slots 67 and 72).

[0128] Referring now to FIGS. 12-22, and more specifically referring toFIG. 15, two separate latch assemblies 55 and 56 are illustrated thatare mounted to the second ends 151 and 161 of the first and secondtongue members 25 and 19, respectively. Generally speaking, each of thelatch assemblies 55 and 56 is similarly constructed and operates issimilar fashion and therefore, in the interest of simplifying thisexplanation, only latch assembly 55 will be described here in detail. Tothis end, latch assembly 55 includes first and second latches 55 a,pivot pins 55 b, a biasing spring 55 c, a one-way hydraulic cylinder 55d and first and second extension plates 55 f. Each of the latches 55 a,pins 55 b and plates 55 f are similar in construction and operation andtherefore, unless indicated otherwise, only one of each of thosecomponents will be described here.

[0129] Referring still to FIG. 15 and, more specifically, the latch 55 aillustrated therein, and, also referring to the same latch 55 a in FIG.17, latch 55 a has several components including a body componentidentified by number 55 a, a latch tip 55 e and a latch stop 55 i. Tip55 e and stop 55 i are integral with base member 55 a and extend to thesame side thereof, tip 55 e extending a greater distance than stop 55 i.At the junction between stop 55 i and base member 55 a, an opening (notnumbered) is provided through which a bolt or securing pin 55 b can bepassed when latch 55 a is mounted between mounting members 180 and 181(see also FIG. 14).

[0130] Plate 55 f is a flat member that is secured to latch tip 55 eabout half-way along the length of tip 55 e and extends at a right anglethereto. A cylinder mounting member 55 h extends in the same directionas tip 55 e from the top end of plate 55 f. An adjustable J hook 55 g ismounted proximate the top end of plate 55 f so that the hook memberextends in the direction that member 55 h extends (i.e., in thedirection of tip 55 e).

[0131] Referring still to FIGS. 14-17, latch 55 a is dimensioned suchthat when latch 55 a is mounted between extensions 180 and 181 via boltor pin 55 b with member 55 a extending toward second tongue member 19,tip 55 e extends past second end 151 of first tongue member 25. Plate 55f is dimensioned such that the top end of plate 55 f extends abovesecond tongue member 19 and so that when a spring 55 c is mountedbetween opposed J hooks 55 g and when cylinder 55 d is mounted betweenmembers 55 h, each of the spring 55 c and cylinder 55 d clear the topwall of second tongue member 19. Stop 55 i is dimensioned such that,when latch 55 a is mounted between members 180 and 181, while latch 55 acan rotate about pin 55 b, after a small rotational arc, stop 55 icontacts the external surface of first tongue member and furtherrotation is limited.

[0132] As indicated above, the second latch assembly 56 is similar inform and function to assembly 55 except that assembly 56 is mounted tothe second end 161 of second tongue assembly 19 so that latch tipsextend past second end 161. To this end, assembly 56 includes third andfourth latch members 56 a, pins 56 b, spring 56 c, latch hydrauliccylinder 56 d, plates 56 f, J hooks 56 g and extensions 56 h. Each latch56 a has a base member, a stop 56 i and a latch tip 56 e, the basemember, stop and tip configured in a manner essentially identical to thelatches 55 a described above.

[0133] Referring still to FIGS. 16 and 17, in operation, with the latchcylinders 55 d and 56 d retracted, corresponding latches 55 a and 56 aare pulled inwardly by springs 55 c and 56 c as illustrated in FIG. 16.Referring also to FIG. 18, when the tongue assemblies 19 and 20 are intheir retracted positions, latch tips 55 e and 56 e are aligned withlatch slots 73 and 67 (see also FIGS. 13 and 14) and are receivedtherein. However, when latch cylinders 55 d and 56 d are extended, thecylinders overcome the force of springs 55 c and 56 c driving latch tips55 e and 56 e from slots 73 and 67, respectively. This extended latchcylinder position is illustrated in FIG. 17. When the latch assemblies55 and 56 are in their extended or unlocked positions, tongue mountedcylinders 50 and 52 may be extended to drive second and third tonguemembers 19 and 20 in to their extended positions as illustrated in FIG.22. Once members 29 and 20 are in their extended positions, latchcylinders 55 d and 56 d may be “de-energized” so that they arecompressed by the force of springs 55 c and 56 c thereby causing latchtips 55 e to be received within recesses 72 and 66, respectively.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 19, movement of latch tip 55 e from aperture 73is illustrated. In FIG. 20, movement of latch tip 56 e from aperture 67is illustrated. In FIG. 21, alignment of latch tip 56 e with slot 66after extension of third tongue member from second tongue member 19 isillustrated.

[0135] Referring again to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, shims 65 b and 74 b andother components that comprise assemblies 54 and 53 can be adjusted toaid in aligning the latch tips 55 e and 56 e with corresponding latchslots (e.g., 66, 67, etc.).

[0136] Referring now to FIG. 25, an exemplary schematic diagramillustrating the plumbing used to link each of the latch cylinders 55 dand 56 d and the first and second tongue cylinders 50 and 52 isillustrated. While not illustrated, a hydraulic reservoir and pump islinked to first and second hydraulic system ports 200 and 201,respectively. The pump is capable of pumping hydraulic fluid in eitherdirection through the illustrated system. The system includes fivesolenoid controlled valves 100, 101, 102, 103 and 104, cylinders 55 d,56 d, 50 and 52 (including rods 50 a and 52 a) and a plurality ofhydraulic lines that link the system together. Port 200 is linked tovalve 100 which in turn is linked to extension ports of each of thefirst and second tongue cylinders 50 and 52, respectively. Each ofcylinders 50 and 52 is an orificed two-way hydraulic cylinder andtherefore also includes a retract port. Each retract port is linked tovalve 104 which in turn leads to port 201. Thus, cylinders 50 and 52 arelinked in parallel in the illustrated system.

[0137] Referring still to FIG. 25, the output of valve 100 is alsolinked to valve 103 and the output of valve 103 is linked to a first oftwo inputs of two-way solenoid valve 102. Similarly, the output of value104 is linked to the input of solenoid valve 101 and the output valve101 is linked to the second input of two-way value 102. The singleoutput of valve 102 is linked to each of non-orificed one-way cylinders55 d and 56 d. Thus, each of cylinders 55 d and 56 d are in parallelwith cylinders 50 and 52. Orificed cylinders are simply cylinders that,as the label implies, bleed off some hydraulic fluid when first drivento change rod position whereas non-orificed cylinders have no bleedingcharacteristics and therefore top-out or reach their extended positionsrelatively quickly. Thus, because all four cylinders 55 d, 56 d, 50 and52 are linked in parallel, when hydraulic fluid is provided througheither of valve 100 or 104, the fluid first causes cylinders 55 d and 56d to completely top-out and thereafter causes movement in cylinders 50and 52 to move rods 50 a and 52 a, respectively.

[0138] Referring still to FIG. 25 and also to FIG. 16, assuming thattongue assembly 18 is in a completely retracted and locked position, inorder to unlock the latch assemblies 55 and 56 and extend assembly 18,hydraulic fluid is pumped into the system via port 200 with each ofvalves 100, 101, 103 and 104 open and with valve 102 open and linkingvalve 103 to cylinders 55 d and 56 d. In this case, because cylinders 55d and 56 d are not orificed, the fluid causes cylinders 55 d and 56 d totop-out and completely extend overcoming the force of springs 55 c and56 c to drive latches 55 a and 56 a to the unlocked positionsillustrated in FIG. 17. Thereafter, after cylinders 55 b and 56 b topout, the fluid being pumped into port 200 is provided to cylinders 50and 52 thereby causing those cylinders to extend and drive correspondingtongue members toward the extended positions. Upon reaching the extendedpositions, stop members 64, 71 and members 54 g limit further extension(e.g., see FIG. 21) with latch tips 55 e and 56 e aligned with slots 72and 66 (see FIGS. 12 and 13), respectively. Thereafter, referring toFIG. 26, with valve 101 open, the two-way valve solenoid is energized toswitch valve 102 thereby linking cylinders 55 d and 56 d through valves101 and 104 to port 201 so that springs 55 c and 56 c force thehydraulic fluid from cylinders 55 b and 56 b, respectively and latches55 a and 56 a and their corresponding tips are forced into lockingpositions engaging recesses 72 and 76, respectively.

[0139] Referring now to FIG. 27, to reverse the process described above,with valves 100, 101, 103 and 104 open and valve 102 linking cylinders55 d and 56 d to valve 101, hydraulic fluid is pumped into the systemvia port 201. The fluid is provided through valves 104, 101 and 102 tocylinders 55 d and 56 d to, once again, drive the latches 55 a and 56 ainto unlocked positions. Once cylinders 55 b and 56 b have topped off,fluid is provided to cylinders 50 and 52 thereby driving rods 50 a and52 a toward retracted positions and thus causing tongue members 20 and19 to retract into corresponding passageways. After the completelyretracted positions have been achieved and tongue member ends 151 and161 abut stop assemblies 74 and 65, respectively, referring to FIG. 28,the valve solenoid corresponding to valve 102 is energized to linkcylinders 55 d and 56 d to open valve 103 thereby allowing the latchsprings 55 c and 56 c to force liquid from valves 55 d and 56 d whichexits port 200. Thus, the latch springs 55 c and 56 c again drive latchtips 55 e into slots 73 and 67, respectively.

[0140] While the drawings, specific examples, and particular formationsgiven describe exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose ofillustration only. The materials and configurations shown and describedmay differ depending on the chosen performance characteristics andphysical characteristics of the planter equipment. For example, the typeof planter equipment may differ. In addition, while a two stageconfiguration is illustrated, configurations including many more stagesare contemplated where externally mounted cylinders are disposed on thevarious sides of the tongue assembly. Moreover, an embodiment where allcylinders are externally disposed is contemplated. Furthermore, otherlocking mechanisms are contemplated for use with the inventiveapparatus.

[0141] In addition, while one wheel assembly 44 is described above,other functionally similar assemblies are contemplated that may includemore than one wheel, may be differently adjustable, may be mounted tothe other components differently and so on.

[0142] For instance, referring to FIG. 32, instead of having assembly 44extend rearward from bar member 14, assembly 44 could extend from theother side of member 44. Thus, the systems shown and described are notlimited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. Furthermore,other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplaryembodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An agricultural apparatus comprising: a carrierframe including a support surface defining an arcuate track about apivot point; a mainframe mounted to the carrier frame at the pivot pointfor rotation thereabout between an operating position and atransportation position; and a wheel assembly including at least onewheel mounted to a mounting member, the mounting member mounted to themainframe such that the wheel is received on the curved track forrotation there along.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mountingmember includes first and second plates and the wheel is mounted betweenthe plates.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the mounting memberincludes an adjustment bolt linked between the mainframe and the plateswherein the adjustment bolt is adjustable to alter the relativepositions of the mainframe and the plates thereby modifying the relativepositions of the mainframe and the carrier frame.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the mounting member further includes first and secondblock members linked to the mainframe and the plates, respectively, oneof the block members forming a right threaded channel and the other ofthe block members forming a left threaded channel and, wherein, theadjustment bolt includes first and second ends that are right and leftthreaded, respectively, the adjustment bolt ends received in the blockmember channels.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first end ofthe adjustment bolt is received in the first block member channel, thefirst block member includes a jamming surface facing the second blockingmember, the apparatus further including a jam nut threadably received onthe first end of the bolt such that the jab nut can be tightened againstthe jamming surface to lock the relative positions of the bolt and thefirst and second block members.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein eachof the first and second plates has proximal and distal ends and thewheel in mounted between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal endsare pivotally linked to the mainframe and the distal ends pivotallylinked to the second block member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 whereineach plate is mounted to the mainframe, second block and wheel at first,second and third mounting points, respectively, that form a triangle,the third mounting point below at least one of the first and secondmounting points.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including a bracketmounted to the mainframe, the first block pivotally mounted to thebracket at a first point and the first ends of the plates mounted to thebracket at a second point below the first point.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein the bracket extends in a direction tangent to thearcuate track.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the track extendsbetween first and second ends, when the mainframe is in the operatingposition, the mainframe substantially perpendicular to a direction oftravel and substantially aligned with a rear edge of the support surfaceand the bracket extending at least in part past the rear edge andproximate the first end.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trackextends between first and second ends, when the mainframe is in theoperating position, the mainframe substantially perpendicular to adirection of travel and substantially aligned with a rear edge of thesupport surface and the wheel extending at least in part past the rearedge and proximate the first end, the carrier frame further including awheel support member extending from the rear edge and forming anupwardly facing surface that is substantially parallel to the supportsurface and that forms the first end.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the mounting member further includes an adjustment means foradjusting the relative positions of the wheel and the mainframe suchthat the relative positions of the mainframe and the carrier frame canbe adjusted.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the carrier frameincludes first and second lateral edges and the track extends betweenfirst and second track ends where the wheel is proximate the first andsecond track ends when the mainframe is in the operating and transportpositions, respectively, the pivot point is proximate the first lateraledge and the first track end is proximate the second lateral edge. 14.An apparatus for use with an agricultural assembly including a carrierframe including a support surface defining an arcuate track about apivot point and a mainframe mounted to the carrier frame at the pivotpoint for rotation thereabout between an operating position and atransportation position, the apparatus comprising: a wheel assemblyincluding a mounting member, a wheel and at least one adjustment bolt,the mounting member mounted to the mainframe and the wheel linked to themounting member via the adjustment bolt such that the wheel is receivedon the curved track for rotation there along, the adjustment boltadjustable for modifying the relative vertical positions of the wheeland the mainframe to adjust the positions of the mainframe and thecarrier frame.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the mounting memberincludes first and second plates linked to the mainframe and theadjustment bolt and wherein the wheel is mounted between the plates. 16.The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the mounting member further includesfirst and second block members linked to the mainframe and the plates,respectively, one of the block members forming a right threaded channeland the other of the block members forming a left threaded channel and,wherein, the adjustment bolt includes first and second ends that areright and left threaded, respectively, the adjustment bolt ends receivedin the block member channels.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein thefirst end of the adjustment bolt is received in the first block memberchannel, the first block member includes a jamming surface facing thesecond blocking member, the apparatus further including a jam nutthreadably received on the first end of the bolt such that the jab nutcan be tightened against the jamming surface to lock the relativepositions of the bolt and the first and second block members.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the first and second plates hasproximal and distal ends and the wheel is mounted between the proximaland distal ends, the proximal ends are pivotally linked to the mainframeand the distal ends pivotally linked to the second block member, whereineach plate is mounted to the mainframe, second block and wheel at first,second and third mounting points, respectively, that form a triangle,the third mounting point below at least one of the first and secondmounting points.
 19. An apparatus for use with an agricultural assemblyincluding a carrier frame including a support surface defining anarcuate track about a pivot point and a mainframe mounted to the carrierframe at the pivot point for rotation thereabout between an operatingposition and a transportation position, the apparatus comprising: firstand second plates, each plate including proximal and distal ends anddefining first, second and third mounting points, the proximal endspivotally linked to the mainframe at the first mounting points; aturnbuckle including first and second block members and a bolt, one ofthe block members forming a right threaded channel and the other of theblock members forming a left threaded channel, the bolt includingopposite first and second ends that are right threaded and leftthreaded, respectively, the bolt ends received within the channels, thefirst block member pivotally linked to the mainframe above the platesand the second block member pivotally linked to the plates at the secondmounting points; and a wheel mounted between the plates at the thirdmounting points such that the wheel is received on the track.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 19 wherein the mounting points on each of the platesform a triangle and wherein each second mounting point is verticallybelow at least one of the first and second mounting points on the sameplate.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 further including a bracket mountedto the mainframe wherein the proximal ends of the plates and the firstblock members are pivotally mounted to the bracket.
 22. The apparatus ofclaim 21 wherein the bracket is proximate and extends toward the firstend of the track when the mainframe is in the operating position.